Closure cap for containers



Dec. 13, 1938.

E. FUCHS CLOSURE CAP FOR CONTAINERS Filed April 27, 1957 k w, 5.....1;AM"

anon/ 15.

Patented Dec. 13, 1938-- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to closure caps for containers, and moreparticularly to that type of caps which are pivotally connected to thecontainer so as to swing into open and closed posi- 5 tion.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved closurecap of this type which shall consist of a minimum number of parts, sothat it will be exceptionally cheap to manufacture, and which at thesame time will be simple and convenient to manipulate and eflicient inoperation.

To this end the invention contemplates forming the cap and associatedparts of a single piece of material, having projections formed integraltherewith to provide the pivotal connection so that the necessity forthe usual pivot pin is obviated.

The invention is applicable to containers of many different types, such,for example, as collapsible tubes, bottles, powder cans, and largercontainers such as storage batteries, gasoline tanks, and the like.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, reference is hadto the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, and inwhich:

Fig. l is a plan view of my improved closure cap, as applied to the neckof a collapsible tube;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section therethrough, substantially on the line 2-2of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 isa front elevation thereof;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 2, but showing a slightlymodified construction, and illustrating my improved cap as applied tothe neck of a bottle;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 2, but showing a modifiedconstruction of cap app ied to the mouth of a powder can;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the top of the powder can, with the capremoved;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the sifter top shown in Figs. 5 and 6,but illustrating a slightly modified construction; and

Fig. 8 is' a perspective view showing my improved closure cap and alsothe neck of a container to which it is applied.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and more particularly first to Figs.1, 2 and 3 thereof, l designates a collapsible or other tubularcontainer having a neck 2. Projecting laterally from this neck at oneside thereof is a relatively thin fiat lug 3, having a rounded outerend, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l, and provided in its flat faceswith a pair of opposed sockets or recesses 4, shown as cup shaped.

The neck 2 carries at the side opposite the lug 3 a locking lug 5, thepurpose of which will hereinaiter more fully appear.

My improved closure cap itself is designated in its entirety by thereference numeral '5. It may be stamped from sheet metal or molded fromsome thermoplastic composition such as Celluloid, or hard rubber.

Extending from one side of the cap 6 is a portion I which is bentaround, as indicated at 8, so as to provide an arm 9 extendingsubstantially parallel with the portion 1, the parts designated by thereference numerals 1, 8 and 9 thus together forming a U-shapedstructure. This is so proportioned as to be adapted to embrace and fitover the lug 3, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

The opposite arms I and 9 of the U-shaped structure described, arepressed in to form inwardly directed projections l0, adapted to engageand fit within the sockets or recesses 4.

It will thus be seen that these projections l engaging in the sockets 4constitute a pivotal connection between the cap and the lug 3, aboutwhich pivot the cap may swing transversely into and out of closedposition.

At the side of the cap 6 opposite the portion 1 is a projecting portionll which is folded back upon itself, as indicated at l2, and terminatesin a lip l3, adapted to engage under the locking lug 5, as shown in Fig.2, in order to hold the cap securely in closed position.

In order to insure the tight seating of the cap, the end surface or edgeof the neck 2 is preferably formed on a plane which makes a slight anglewith the axis of the neck, as illustrated at 2 in Fig. 3. This angle issmall, probably approximately being sufllcient.

It will be understood that the flat faces of the lug 3 lie in planeswhich are at substantial right angles to the axis of the neck, while theend of the neck itself is on a slightly inclined plane, as abovedescribed. In view of this, it will be understood that when the cap isswung about its pivot to closed position, that is tosay, in a clockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. l, and toward the left as viewed in Fig. 3,the cap will ride up on the inclined upper edge of the neck and thus becaused to seat tightly thereagainst. The cap 6 is preferably lined witha gasket 14 of cork or other suitable yielding material, as shown inFig. 2, so that when the cap is moved to closed position, the gasketwill be pressed tightly against 55 the upper edge of the neck, thusproducing an effective seal.

In order to increase the compressing action exerted on this gasket asthe cap is closed, the under surface of the locking lug I, which isengaged by the lip It, may be slightly inclined, as indicated at 5' inFig. 3, this inclination being in a direction the reverse of that of theupper edge of the neck.

Preferably the material. such as sheet metal or molded composition, ofwhich the cap 8 is made, is elastic or springy, so that the U-shapedstructure formed by the parts I, 8 and 9 is resilient, and the arms maybe forced apart and will then return to their original position. Whensuch material is used, it will be understood that the roundedprojections Ill are formed in the arms I and 8 when the cap is made, andthat then, when the U-shaped structure is forced over the lug go 3, theprojections ill snap into the recesses 4, thus forming the desiredpivotal connection. When thermoplastic material, such as hard rubber, isemployed, the U-shaped structure may be softened by heat, to facilitateassembly. In either .5 case, the device is exceptionally easy toassemble.

In some instances, however, it may be desired to form the portions 1, land 9 of sheet material which is substantially non-resilient. In thiscase, the U-shaped structure will be applied to 30 the lug, and then theprojections l0 pushed into the-recesses by means of a suitable punch.

In Fig. 4, I have shown my improved cap as applied to the neck I of aglass bottle, such as a milk bottle or the like. In this figure I have11- lustrated a slightly modified construction in that the lug 3' on thebottle neck is provided with but a single recess or socket 4, thispreferably being formed on the lower surface of the lug, as indicated.The upper surface of the lug 3, and also the arm I of the cap, are leftflat. In other words, a single recess or socket and a single projectionare relied upon in this case to establish the pivotal connection,instead of the pair of recesses and projections shown in Fig. 2. Asuitable gasket H' is also preferably employed.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, i5 designates a can of the type commonlyemployed in dispensing dry powder and the like. This has the usual neckI6.

Over this neck It I place with a forced friction fit a sifter topcomprising a perforated portion I! and a cylindrical portion or collari8. This collar portion is offset at one side, as indicated at l8", toreceive the vertical portion IQ of a thin flat lug 20, having an opening2| therethrough. Thus this lug 20 is carried by the cylindrical portioni8 of the sifter top and projects laterally therefrom.

My improved sheet metal cap itself is illustrated at 22, and is shown ashaving a portion 23 extending therefrom at one side, this portion beingbent back upon itself at 24 to provide an arm 25 extending parallel withthe portion 23, the parts 23, 24 and 25 forming, as before, a U- shapedstructure adapted to embrace the lug 20.-

An opening 26 is formed in the lower arm 25 and is constructed toregister with the opening 2| formed in the lug 20. A rounded projection21 is punched down from the portion 23 and extends into and through theopening 2| in the lug 29, and preferably into the opening 26 in the arm25. This projection 21 working in the opening 2| constitutes a pivotalconnection, as in the previously described constructions, about whichthe cap 22 may be swungtransversely to open and closed position over thesifter top. At the side of the sifter top opposite the lug 20 isprovided a locking lug 28, this beingpreferably formed by cutting orpunching out and folding over a portion of the cylindrical part i8. Thetop 22 is also provided as before with a projecting portion 29 foldedover upon itself and terminating in a lip 30 adapted to engage under thelocking lug 28.

Referring to Fig. 7, I have shown how the pivot supporting lug may bestruck out from the material of the cylindrical portion I8 itself, asindicated at 20, instead of being formed as a separate element, as shownin Figs. 5 and 6. This will further simplify the construction.

In Fig. 8, I have illustrated the same type of cap 6 as is shown inFigs. 1 and 2, and the same reference characters designate similarparts. The cap 6 is shown as adapted to fit over the neck 3| of acontainer which may be in the nature of a receptacle or tank, such, forexample, as the gasoline tank of automobiles, or a storage battery case.

It will, of course, be understood that I contemplate making the tops ofthe container necksshown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, inclined at aslight angle, as illustrated in Fig. 3, if desired, in order to insurecloser engagement of the closure cap therewith.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the same general principle ofconstruction runs through all of the modified forms illustrated in thedrawing, namely, the provision of a pivotal connection by means of oneor more projections, formed integral with the cap, engaging in a socketor sockets carried by the container neck. In Fig. 2, a pair of suchprojections and sockets are shown, while in Fig. 4 only a singleprojection and socket are illustrated. In Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the sockettakes the form of an opening which extends entirely through the pivotlug, but performs the same function as the recess ill in the othermodifications.

In all of the forms, it will be noted that the necessity for the usualpivot pin, with its attendant difficulties of assembly, has beenobviated, and that the means for constituting the pivotal connection isformed integral with the cap itself.

What I claim is:

l. The combination with a container neck, of a relatively thin flat lugprojecting laterally therefrom, and a closure cap of sheet materialhaving a portion extending from one side thereof and bent back uponitself to form a U-shaped structure adapted to embrace said lug, saidlug having a socket in one of its flat faces, and one of the arms ofsaid U-shaped structure having an inwardly directed projection adaptedto engage in said socket and thus constitute a pivotal connection aboutwhich said closure cap may swing transversely of said container neck.

2. The combination with a container neck, of a relatively thin flat lugprojecting laterally therefrom, and a closure cap of sheet materialhaving a portion extending from one side thereof and bent back uponitself to form a U-shaped structure adapted to embrace said lug, saidlug having a socket in one of its fiat faces, and one of the arms ofsaid U-shaped structure having an inwardly directed rounded projection,said arm being resilient, whereby, when said U-shaped structure isforced over said lug, said projection will snap into said socket, thuspivotally connecting the closure cap to said lug.

3. The combination with a container neck, of a relatively thin flat lugprojecting laterally therefrom, and a closure cap of sheet materialhaving a portion extending from one side thereof and bent back uponitself to form a U-shaped structure adapted to embrace said lug, saidlug having aligned recesses in its opposite flat faces, and the arms ofsaid U-shaped structure having aligned inwardly directed projectionsadapted to engage in said recesses and thus constitute a pivotalconnection about which said closure cap may swing transversely of saidcontainer neck.

4. The combination with a container neck, of a relatively thin flat lugprojecting laterally therefrom, and a closure cap of sheet materialhaving a portion extending from one side thereof and bent back uponitself to form a U-shaped structure adapted to embrace said lug, saidlug having aligned recesses in its opposite flat faces, and the arms ofsaid U-shaped structure having aligned, inwardly directed, roundedprojections, said U-shaped structure being resilient, whereby when it isforced over said lug, said projections will snap into said recesses,thus pivotally connecting the closure cap to said lug.

5. The combination with a container neck, of a relatively thin fiat lugprojecting laterally therefrom and lying in a plane at right angles tothe axis of said neck, and a closure cap of sheet material having aportion extending from one side thereof and bent back upon itself toform a U-shaped structure adapted to embrace said lug, said lug having asocket in one of its flat faces, and one of the arms of said U-shapedstructure having an inwardly directed projection adapted to engage insaid socket and thus constitute a pivotal connection about which saidclosure cap may swing transversely of said container neck, the end ofsaid neck lying in a plane disposed at a slight angle to the axisthereof.

6. The combination with a container neck, of a relatively thin flat lugprojecting laterally therefrom, and a closure cap of sheet materialhaving a portion extending from one side thereof and bent back uponitself to form a U-shaped structure adapted to embrace said lug, saidlug having a socket in one of its flat faces, and one of the arms ofsaid U-shaped structure having an inwardly directed projection adaptedto engage in said socket and thus constitute a pivotal connection aboutwhich said closure cap may swing transversely of said container neck, alocking lug projecting from the side of said neck opposite to the firstmentioned lug, and a lip carried by said cap and adapted to engage undersaid locking lug when the cap is swung to closed position.

7. The combination with a container neck, of a relatively thin flat lugprojecting laterally therefrom and lying in a plane at right angles tothe axis of said neck, and a closure cap of sheet material having aportion extending from one side thereof and bent back upon itself toform a U-shaped structure adapted to embrace said lug, said lug having asocket in one of its fiat faces, and one of the arms of said U-shapedstructure having an inwardly directed projection adapted to engage insaid socket and thus constitute a pivotal connection about which saidclosure cap may swing transversely of said container neck,

the end of said neck lying in a plane disposed at a slight angle to theaxis thereof, a locking lug projecting from the side of said neckopposite to the first mentioned lug, and a lip carried by said cap andadapted to engage under said locking lug when the cap is swung to closedposition.

8. The combination with a container having a neck, of a cylindricalmember closely encircling said neck, a relatively thin flat lug carriedby and projecting laterally from said member, said lug having a sockettherein, and a closure cap of sheet material having a portion extendingfrom one side thereof and bent back upon itself to form a U-shapedstructure adapted to embrace said lug, one of the arms of said U-shapedstructure having an inwardly directed projection adapted to engage insaid socket and thus constitute a pivotal connection about which saidclosure cap may swing transversely of said container neck.

9. The combination with a container having a neck, of a cylindricalmember closely encircling said neck, a relatively thin fiat lug carriedby and projecting laterally from said member, said lug having an openingtherethrou'gh, and a closure cap of sheet material having a portionextending from one side thereof and bent back upon itself to form aU-shaped structure adapted to embrace said lug, one of the arms of saidU-shaped structure having an opening adapted to register with theopening in said lug, and the other of the arms having an inwardlydirected projection adapted to engage in said openings and thusconstitute a pivotal connection about which said closure cap may swingtransversely of said container neck.

' EUGENE A. FUCHS.

